brintnell



3 'Sheets Sheet 1-.

(No Model.)

A. H. BRINTNELL. ELECTRIC PRoPULsIoN oF CARS.

Apr. '7, 1896.

Patenjged lizm.

3 Sheets Sheet 2.

(NOModel.)

A.. H. BRINTNELL ELECTRIC lPROPULSIQBI 0F GARS.

Patented Apr. .7, 18196.

Mbzesses.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.) lA. H. BRINTNELL.

ELECTRIC PROPULSION 0F GARS.

No. 557,960. Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

NrrED STATES ARCHIBALD H. BRINTNELL, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

ELECTRIC PROPULSION OF CARS..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,960, dated April 7,1896.

Application filed May 1, 1895. Serial No. 547,774. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, ARCHIBALD H. BRINT- NELL, of the city of Toronto, inthe county of Yorlnin the Province of Ontario, Canada,have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Electric Propulsion of Cars,ofwhich the following is a specification.

My inventionrelates to improvements in electric propulsion of cars; andthe object of the invention is to devise a simple, efficient, safe, andeconomical system in which there will be no ground-current, practicallyno magnetic leakage, no overhead poles with exposed wires, andconsequently no short circuits, no possibility of burning out, and inwhich any desired voltage may be used without danger; and it consists,essentially, of a system in which the motor is composed ofdrum-armatures connected to the car-wheel axles andof field-magnetslocated at requisite distances apart between the rails of the track, thedr lim-armatures being desi gnedto be magnetically brought into rollingcontact with the field-magnets successively, so as to draw the carforward or rearward, as desired, switch mechanism being also providedfor throwing the current into and out of the iield-magnets and the partsbeing otherwise constructed as hereinafter more particularly explained.

Figure lis a longitudinal section through a car and portion of theroad-bed on a muchreduced scale. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the majorportion of the trucks andthe arrangement of the magnets and switch-boxesin the road-bed. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the line ef, Fig. 1":Fig. 4. is a longitudinal section of the switch-box through the line ab, Figs. 3 and 5. Fig. la is a perspective view of the yieldingcontact-plate chain operated by the travelers on the car. Fig. 4b is anend view of the plate chain. Fig. 4 is a cross-section through thechain, showing the manner of fastening on the leather wrapping. Fi g. 5is a sectional plan through the line a b, Fig. 41.-. Fig. 6 is a detailof an alternative form of switch operating mechanism and travelers.

In the drawings like letters and numerals of reference indicatecorresponding parts in each figure.

A is thebody of the car; B, the crosstimbers g C, the lon gitudiualtimbers; D, the fourwheel truck-frames; E, the outer twowheeltruck-frames, and F the central two-wheel truck-frame. are pivoted onthe cross-timbers B by the king-bolts B', and portion of the weight ofthe car is supported through them uponthe semielliptical springs B2.(See Figs. l and 2.) The trucks E E serve also to support portion of theweight of the car by means of the elliptical springs E', which have journ aled between them and on the top of them, on the cross-rods E2, theroller E3, upon which the end crossplates B3 rests. p The remainingportion of the weight of the car is supported upon the central truck Fby the rollers F', which are secured on a spindle jou rnaled in bearingsupon the top of the elliptical springs F2.

G are the drum armatures, which' are secured in pairs upon each of theaxles l-l. Each pair of armatures is secured to each axle, one towardeach end and equidistant from the ends of the axle. All thedrum-armatures are of the same diameter and are equidistant from eachother throughout the length of the car and approach in close proximityto the surface of the road-bed, so as to have a rolling contact upon thehorseshoe field-magnets l, the ends of the cores of which are pref-Verably exactly the same width as the peripheral face of the drum and arearranged to come exactlyin the path of the same as the drums areattracted to the ends of the core, as hereinafter more particularlyexplained.

The end trucks E are connected by triangular plate J to the four -Wheeltrucks, one apex of the .triangular plate being pivotally connected by abolt j to the trucks D, and the other apexes being securely held to thecross-bar of the truck E by bolts j. As the trucks are at a shortdistance apart, this action permits of the free swing of the end trucksas they go around a curve, the rollerE3 serving still to partiallysupport the car as it moves over the cross-plates B3.

The central truck F has two substantially triangular frames K, locatedopposite each other in the central portion of the frame.` The frames Kconsist of an upper and lower plate, in which are journaled thefriction-rollers 7c. (Shown partially by dotted lilies and full lines inFig. 2.) K is a rod which extendsthrough the rollers. The frames K arepivotally con- The four-wheel truck-frames IOO nected by bars K2 to thepivot-bolts Zo at the inner ends of the trucks D. The rod K is supportedin eyebolts 7c3 within the openings of the frame K, as indicated. Itwill thus be seen that in going around a curve, as indicated in Fig. 3,the central portion of the frame-namely, the triangular frames K andconnecting-bars K2-will be permitted a longitudinal extension throughthe frames K, being caused to move inwardly, the frictionrollers passingalong the bar K. V'Vhen the car reaches a straight portion of the track,it will be readily seen that the frames K will move outwardly.

L is a metal rod extending from end to end of the car and connected by auniversal joint Z at each end to a square bar-socket L@ (See Figs. l and2.)

L2 is a rod which extends into the bar-socket L' and is connected by auniversal joint Z/ to a spindle Z2, journaled in the bracket Z3,securedto the bottom of the car.

Z4 is a bevel-pinion secured in the outer end of the spindle Z2. Thebevel-pinion ZLl meshes with the bevel-pinion Z5, secured on the lowerend of the rod ZG, which is provided with a crank-handle Z7.

The rod L is universally jointed and is supported at intervals inbearings M, secured to the central portion of the truck-frame.

N are double-arm travelers pivoted on the rod n, journaled in thehanger-bearings n', secured to the bottom of the truck-frames. The rod ain each case comes directly underneath the center of the axles. Thedoublearm travelers are preferably provided with .friction-rollersV n2and are connected at each end by chains n3 to the rod L. The doublearmtravelers are placed in such position throughout the length fof the carthat the chain attached at the same end of reach traveler throughout ispartially wound upon the rod L, so that all the corresponding ends ofthe travelers are raised. The lower end of each traveler when in workingposit-ion is alwaysin lclose proximity to the ground. The upper ends ofthe chain n3 are wound around in the reversedirectiou on the rod L, sothat when the crank-handle Z' is turned one end of the pivoted travelerwill -raise and the other lower. Zhen the traveler is horizontal, itisoutvof the working position. By turning the crank-handle still more theopposite end of the traveler to that shown in the drawings would bethrown down in proximity to the ground.

The end of the traveler which is in close proximity to the groundoperates to propel the car in the direction to which this end isdownwardly inclined, as will be understood from what is hereinafterdescribed.

The travelers operatel the switch mechanism contained in the box O, thepeculiarity of construction ofwhich and the operation of the switchcontained therein so as to throw the current into the field-magnets Ishall now describe.

The upper part of the box O is comprised of two circular iianges O andO2, which are integrally formed, abut each other, and extend beyond thewidth ofthe rectangular lower portion of the box, as indicated by fulllines in Figs. 3 and 5.

O3 is a circular metal plate which fits within the circular flange O andis provided with a downwardly-extending vertical ring-flange o, whichfits within an annular recess o of a greater width than the flange.Between the inner and outer sides of the vertical flange o and the sidesof the recess I insert a rubber or flexible tube-packing o2, which ispressed nearly flat when the vertical flange is inserted in therecess,and thus serves to form a springpacking which is perfectlywater-tight. The plate O3, I fasten down by screws o3, which extendpartially into the edges of the flange O! and partially into thecircular plate O3. The circular flange O2 has a ring OY1 fitting withinit, which has a downwardly-extendin g flange o4, fitting within a recesso5 in the flange O2. l o6 is a circular piece of leather or otherflexible material formed u p, as indicated, and completely covering thecircular opening within the ring O4. The recessed edges o7 are heldwithin the recess o5by the downwardlyextending flange 04, forming partof the ring O4, so that the opening is perfectly watertight.

O5 is a cap-plate formed in two parts, the concentric edges of whichextend over the circular flange O2. The straight passage-way O is formedbetween the two portions.

` OT is a circularplate with a convex top, which lits within acorresponding space formed underneath both portions ol the capplate O5.

P is a plate-chain bridge pivoted by the trunnions p at each end inelongated holes p', formed underneath the cap-plates at the edges of andtoward the ends of the passage-way O. The chain P is comprised ofseveral links Pl, which have upwardly-extending sides p2. Each plateisconnected to its adjacent one by trunnions p3, which tinto recesses p4in the adjacent plate.

P2 is a iiexible yielding cover, of leather or other suitable material,which is brought underneath and up the sides of the chain P throughoutits length and is fastened by means of teats p5, which when the leatheris being put on are bent down in the position shown at the left-handside of Fig. et and at the right-hand side of Fig. etc, the points ofthe teats p5 extending through the leather, which is forced over theteats. Vhen the leather has been placed in position over the teats fromend to end, such teats are bent up into the position shown at theright-hand side of Fig. 4 and at the left-hand side of Fig. 4, so thatthe outer side of the teats are flush with the outer side of theleather. The leather covering P2, formed and secured in position asabove described, is for the purpose of pre- IOO IIO

557,960 y i e venting any foreign matter getting down in the passage-wayO6 and yet permitof the free upward and downward movement of the chainas caused by the traveler, as hereinafter described.

Q is a plate secured on the` top of the ver-- tically-moving block Q/ bymeans of abracket q, bolts q and q2, as shown. The block Q is pivotallyconnected by the links Q2 to the vertical block Q2, which is bolted tothe side of the rectangular box or casing Q.

R is a spiral spring connected at the upper end to the hook q2, attachedto the vertical block Q2, and at the lower endto the hook Q4, attachedto the vertically-moving block Q'.

Q4 is a buier secured to the bottom of the casing, and is designed tolim it the downward throw of the block Q. There are two pairs of linksQ2, one of each pair extending on each side of the blocks Q` and Q3. Thelower pairs of links, or, more properly, levers Q2, extend beyond thepivotal connection to the block Q, the ends being pivotally connected bya pair ot links S to the short arm of the lever T, pivoted on the pinextending out from the bracket T. The lever T is of insulating materialand has pivotcd on a pin t', extending through it, two carbon rollerst2, oneat each side.

U U are quadrantal contact-plates secured at the bottom by the screws uand u to insulating-plates u2 and a5, secured to the bottom of the box.

@t3 Vis an insulating-block secured by a screw a4 to the quadrantalstrip U It will be noticed that the quadrantal strip U' is farther fromthe strip U at the lower portion and that in the dip, where it recedcs.from the strip U, I secure a bevel carbon contact-block U2.

Upon the end of the long arm of the lever II, I secure semiloop-shapcdmetal. contactstrips T2, which are designed to be successively broughtin contact from bottom to top with the commutator-sections V of theresistance-coil V', which are connected to them as shown. The commutatorsections are in quadrantal form and are secured to the insulatingstandard-plates c.

c are horseshoe-magnets which bridge the two lower commutator-sections`on each side and have wires yr2 passing from the one section to theotheraround the horseshoe-magnets. These magnets c are designed to blow outthe are formed by the loop-shaped metal contact-strips T2.between thetwo lower sections as they descend, as hereinafter explained.

The magnetic lines of force passing froml the positive to the negativepole of the magnet produce a rapid current in the atmosphere at rightangles to the course the electric current would take between the twocontactpoints and by this means blows out the arc. In other words, theelectric current is broken from it-s point of contact and cannot actupon the particles of atmosphere, an d consequently cannot form an arc.

2 and `3 are the positive and negative wires of the main circuit, whichpass through a eonand cross-bars together, so as to keep the casingclose up to the core of the magnet.

Between the cross-bars I3 is an openspace above the core of the magnet,which I preferably ll with pitch or other insulating and waterproofmaterial, so as to prevent the core from becoming rusted.

In Fig. 4 the negative wire 3 is shown in the broken section of theconduit 4 5. A branch wire 6 leads from the wire 3 to the binding-screwu, securing the bottom of the quadrantal plate U on this side oftheleverT. i

A wire 7 leads from the binding-screw a at the bottom ofthe quadrantalplate Uf on this side through the tubular conduit 8, magnetcoil l2, backthrough the conduit 8 to and through the several commutator-plates V andresistance-coils V. Upon the opposite side the wiring leading from thepositive wire 2 is exactly similar. (See Figs. 3, 4, and 5.)

It will now be seen that when the travelers` N are in the'position showninFig. l, and when the friction-roller n2 of each traveler reaches thecircular divided plate O5 and passes along the passage-way O6 it beinginl close proximity to the ground will ride upon the chain bridge andpress it downwardly, thereby throwing down the vertical block Q',tilting the double arm Q2 on its pivot, thereby throwingup the long endof the lever T over the commutator-sectionsand at the same time throwingthe carbon contact-rollers t2 against the carbon contact-blocks U2, thuselectrically bridging the quadrantal plates U and U from the period thatthe rollers t2 reach the carbon blocks U2 until the lever is thrown itsfull swing, thus gradually throwing in the current through thecommutator-sections V. The current will pass during this period from thepositive wire 2 through the wire 6, quadrantal plate U,contactroller t2,quadrantal plate U', wire 7, through the magnet-coils on the oppositeside to that shown in Fig. 4, back to the commutator-sections andresistance-coils, thence by the loop-shaped strips1T2 to the positivecommutator-sections and resistance-coils V and V', respectively, thenceby the wire 7 through the other magnet-coil, then back to the otherquadrantal plate Uf, carbon roller t2, and quadrantal plate U and wire6, to the negative wire 3, as shown in Fig. 4. The effect of the currentpassing through in the course IOO above described is to magnetize thecores I and cause them to exert a magnetic pull upon the drum-armaturesG in immediate proximity to the left of such magnet.- stance the actingmagnets would be thev third from the left, as shown in Fig. l.

The operation of the successive-travelers that the operation of theswitch mechanismv for inagnetizing the magnets will cause such magnetsyto exert the saine pull in the opposite direction, and thus propel thecar in such direction.

In Fig. G I exhibit an alternative form lof travelers, in which Iprovide horseshoe-magnets \Y,secured to the double-arm traveler. Aperfectly-plain circular top OS, flush with the road-bed, is provided tofit within the circular flange O2.

Instead of the mechanism shown and described as to the former iiguresused in connection with the rollers on the traveler I provide thefollowing:

X is a hinged plate, preferably of soft iron, pivoted at one end at Qcand having a stop 0c' underneath the opposite end to prevent its fallingtoo far.

ocis a rod connected to a lever x3, pivoted at x Y is a mercury-cupsituated underneath lenoid Z, and passes out therefrom to the positivewire 2, as indicated by the partially-full lines and partially-dottedlines in this figure.

ys is a wire leading from the negative wire 3 to the end of the leverw3.

The plunger e of the solenoid is connected by a link z' to the lever T.

The operation of this magnetic form of switch mechanism is as follows:As the horseshoe-magnet comes into proximity with the circular plate Osabove the hinged plate X the said hinged plate is caused to rise, thusthrowing the end of the lever w3 into the mercury-cup Y and completingthe circuit through the wire 1,1/4, the solenoid Z, wire g/S,binding-post y', metal strip y, mercury-cup Y, lever 033, and wire gf tothe negative wire 3, thus causing the plunger of the solenoid to movedownwardly and throw the lever upwardly in the manner hereinb eforedescribed, so as to throw the current into the horseshoemagnets I, whichwill operate in the manner set forth to attract the drum-armatures andIn this inf cause them to have a rolling contact over the ends of thecores of the magnets.

VVhat I claim as my invention is l. A system for electrical propulsionof cars comprising a motor, the armatures of which consist of a seriesof pairs of drums connected with the axles of the car and thefield-magnets of which are located in the road-bed and substantiallyflush therewith and are designed to exert a magnetic pull on thedrum-armatures through the current successively switched into them, sothat such drum-armatures will have a rolling contact over the magnets asand 'for the purpose speciiied.

2. A system for electrical propulsion of cars comprising a seriesoffpairsof drum-armatures secured on the axles of the ear, which arelocated equidistant from each other, a sevries of held-magnets the topsof the cores of which are substantially iiushwith the roadbed in thepaths of the drum-armatures and arei equidistant from eachother a seriesof travelers pivoted directly beneath the axles of the cars and designedto coact with a coinmutator-switch suitably inclosed and having the: topsubstantially iiush'with the road-bed to close the main circuit 'througheach fieldmagnet as the drums approach the ends of thel cores as and forthe purpose speciied.

3i The combination with the magnets situated in the road-bed andsubstantially iiush therewith and the armatures designed to have arolling contact with the ends of the magnets as speeiiied, of pivotedtravelers corresponding. in number to the drum-armatures, a switch-boxand coacting mechanism in thc same operated by each successive travelerto throw in the switch and 'cause the current to travel from the mainwire through the magnets as and for the purpose speciiied.

Ll. The combination with the magnets situated in the road-bed andsubstantially iiush therewith and the armatures designed to have arolling contact with the ends of the cores of the magnets as specified,of pivoted travelers corresponding in number to the drumarmatures aswitch-box provided with a ilexible chain bridge designed to bedepressed by the traveler as it passes over it and means whereby thedepression of such chain of each successive switch-box throws in theswitch and causes the current to travel from the main wires through themagnets as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination with the magnets situated in the road-bed andsubstantially flush therewith and the armatures designed to have arolling contact with the ends of the cores of the magnets as specified,of pivoted travelers corresponding in number to the drumarinatures, aswitch-box and mechanism coacting with the travelers and means forholding the corresponding ends of the travelers at the same time inproximity to the ground as and for the purpose specified.

(i. rlhe combination with the magnets situ- IOC IIO

ated in the road-bed and 'Substantially flush therewith and thearmatures designed to have a rolling contact with the ends of the coreslIO of the magnets as specified, of pivoted travelers corresponding innumber to the drumarmatures, a switch-box and mechanism coacting withthe travelers and a universallyjointed rod extending from end to end ofthe car and connected by chains to both ends of the travelers and meansfor turning such rod as and for the purpose specified.

7. The combination with the magnets situated in the road-bed andsubstantially flush therewith and the armatures designed to have arolling contact with the ends of the cores of the magnets as specified,of pivoted travelers corresponding in number to the drumarmatures, aswitch-box and mechanism coacting with the travelers and auniversallyjointed rod extending from end to end of the car andconnected by chains to both ends of the travelers and the squarebar-socket, L', square rod, L2, universal joint, Z', spindle, Z2,bevel-pinions, Z, Z5, rod, Z6, crank-handle, Z7, all arranged as and forthe purpose speciiied.

S. The combination with the car provided with armatures and the road-bedprovided with magnets, the ends of the cores ofwhich are flushtherewith, of the travelers, liexible chain bridge supported upon thespring-held block, Q, and connected by links, Q2, to the block, Q2, thelinks, S, lever, T, provided with carbon rollers, t2, at each side, thetwo pairs (of quadrantal plates, U, and, U', insulated from each otherand electrical connections from the main-circuit wires to the quadrantalplates, U, and from the quadrantal plates, U', to and through themagnets as and for the purpose specified.

9. The combination with the car provided with armatures and the road-bedprovided with magnets, the ends of the cores of which are liushtherewith, of the travelers, flexible chain bridge supported upon thespring-held block, Q', connected by links, Q2, to the block, Q2, thelinks, S, lever, T, provided with carbon rollers, t2, at each side, thetwo pairs of quadrantal plates, U, and, U', insulatedfroni each other,the carbon blocks, U2, situated in the depressions ot the quadrantalplates, U', and electrical connections trom the main-circuit wires tothe quadrantal plates, U, and from the quadrantal plates, U', to andthrough the magnets as and for the purpose speciiied.

lO. The combination with the car provided with armatures and theroad-bed provided with magnets, the ends of the cores of which are lushtherewith, of the travelers flexible chain bridge supported upon thespring-held block Q', connected by links, Q2, to the block, Q2, thelinks, S, lever, T, provided with carbon rollers, t2, at each side, thetwo pairs of quadrantal plates, U, and, U', insulated from each other,the metal loop-shaped contactstrips, T2, on the end of the lever, T, thecominutator-sections, V, and resistance-coils, V', and electricalconnections from the main-circuit wires to the quadrantal plates, U, andf rom the quadrantal plates, U', to and through the magnets as and forthe purpose specified.

ll. The combination with. the car provided with armatures and theroad-bed provided with magnets, the ends of the cores of which are iiushtherewith, of the travelers flexible chain bridge supported upon thespring-held block, Q', connected by links, Q2, to the block, Q3, thelinks, S, lever, T, provided with carbon rollers, t2, at each side, thetwo pairs of quadrantal plates, U, and, U', insulated from each other,the metal loop-shaped contactstrips, T2, on the end of the lever, T, thecommutator-sections, V, and resistance-coils, V', and thehorseshoe-magnets having the two poles opposite the two lowercommutator-sections, and electrical connections from the main-circuitwires to the quadrantal plates, U, and from the quadrantal plates, U',to and through the magnets as and for the purpose specified.

l2. The combination with the car provided with armatures and theroad-bed provided with magnets, the ends of the cores of which are flushtherewith, of the travelers ilexible chain bridge supported upQn thespring-held block, Q', connected by links, Q2, to the block, Q2, thelinks, S, lever T, provided with carbon rollers, t2, at each side, thetwo pairsv ot' quadrantal plates, U, and, U', insulated from each other,the metal loop-shaped contactstrips, T2, on the end of the lever, T, thecommutator-sections, V, and resistance-coils, V', and thehorseshoe-magnets having the two poles opposite the two lowercommutator-sections, the wires, 6, connecting the positive and negativewires of the main circuit to'their corresponding quadrantal plates, U,the wires, 7, leading from the quadrantal plates, U', to and through thecoils of the horseshoe-magnet, I, and through the eommutator-sections,V, and resistance-coils, V', as an d for the purpose specified.

13. The combination with the armatures, magnets and travelers, ot'thedivided capplate, O5, provided with a straight passageway, OG, and theflexible chain bridge, P, formed and held by trunnions at each end andswitch mechanism operated therefrom as and for the purpose specilied.

14. In a system such as described the combination with the switch-boxhaving the capplates, O5, and central passage-way, O", of the chain, P,each link of which has up- IOO IIO

wardly-extending sides and is connected to held in position thereto bythe feats, p5, as and for the purpose specified.

16. In a system such as described the switchboX provided with the chainbridge located as specified, of' the circular flange, O2, circular ring,O4, With downwardly extending flange, 04, the circular leather and thespringheld Vertical block, Q, and its connections all operating as andfor the purpose specified.

17. A switch-box for the purpose described having two top annularfianges with a space or channel between, in combination with a top platehaving a depending flange fitting Within said recess, and a yieldingpacking located upon each side of said depending flange, substantiallyas described.

1S. -The combination with the trucks, D, E,

